CAREFUL how you dunk that biscuit in your cup of tea – you’re handling a national treasure there.

That’s according to 2,000 fellow Britons who voted the moreish Rich Tea biscuit as one of the 50 special things that help to make Britain great.

It was just one of a bizarre array of items and people from the Beatles to Beefeaters in a survey of all that’s most distinctive about the nation’s life.

Giving everyone something to look up to, Big Ben gets the top spot as the No 1 all-time national icon. But just behind it comes the old-fashioned red telephone box, proving that however much phone chiefs have tried to replace it across the country, Britons still love its look.

“Many of the things listed are true British icons refl ecting the natural fl air the British public has for style and design,” said a spokesperson for Habitat which commissioned the poll.

The Queen found herself relegated to fifth spot

“From Big Ben to the black London cab, these are instantly recognisable as symbols of Britain and are clearly treasured.

“The list shows a fine mixture of our greatest designs and achievements in architecture alongside some of the institutions and people who help make this small country one that has had such a huge impression on the world.”

The Queen found herself relegated to fifth spot, with the Tower of London sneaking ahead of her in the nation’s esteem.

But she was one up on Shakespeare who in turn edged out Sir Winston Churchill, still clearly an inspirational figure for Britons.

Further down the list, there’s a richly assorted mix of celebrities, institutions and fictional characters.

James Bond, Doctor Who and Harry Potter all apparently vie for our affections with Sir David Attenborough, Stonehenge and the Red Cross.

Prince William gets the better of his brother, Prince Harry, appearing at 39th and 42nd respectively.

And Harry is just one place ahead of that Rich Tea treat, which comes in at no 43 on a patriotic list that really takes the biscuit.